X-ray for pregnant woman

[chitti 2]

Is X-ray mandatory for medical. Currently, my wife is pregnant .

[Georgia16 2,858]

Some countries it is... Don't know about India but try and ask in the country forum since they are the one who have done it in India

[Alaska2012 462]

It's country specific...in the Scandinavian countries pregnant women don't have to do the xray for example

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Tell the doctor that your wife is pregnant. Usually they don't take X-ray exam if a woman is pregnant.

[verneforchat 139]

Pregnant women are not exposed to xrays unless there is some pressing need. Just let them know she is pregnant.

[chitti 2]

Medical test doctor in Hyderabad(India) told us that X-ray is mandatory and only option is either go for X-ray or postpone. In Hyderabad, he is the only doctor authorized by US consulate to perform medical test.

[Pitaya 2,577]

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare/medical-exam-faqs.html

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Pregnant women are not exposed to xrays unless there is some pressing need. Just let them know she is pregnant.

Not true. Many pregnant women have had them on visa journey. The risk is minimal outside of the first trimester. There was a technician who posted the risks on here before.

[chitti 2]

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare/medical-exam-faqs.html

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires that women who are pregnant and required to have a medical examination in connection with the issuance of a visa, and are examined in a country currently using the 2007 TB Technical Instructions must have a chest x-ray examination conducted. Pregnant women will have to provide the panel physician with consent to conduct the chest x-ray. For the health of the applicant and her unborn child, CDC instructs panel physicians and laboratories to provide abdominal and pelvic protection with double layer, wrap-around lead shields when they receive the chest radiographs.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare/medical-exam-faqs.html

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires that women who are pregnant and required to have a medical examination in connection with the issuance of a visa, and are examined in a country currently using the 2007 TB Technical Instructions must have a chest x-ray examination conducted. Pregnant women will have to provide the panel physician with consent to conduct the chest x-ray. For the health of the applicant and her unborn child, CDC instructs panel physicians and laboratories to provide abdominal and pelvic protection with double layer, wrap-around lead shields when they receive the chest radiographs.

I think that the key here is no consent, no visa

[verneforchat 139]

Medical test doctor in Hyderabad(India) told us that X-ray is mandatory and only option is either go for X-ray or postpone. In Hyderabad, he is the only doctor authorized by US consulate to perform medical test.

X-ray of chest I am assuming?

This is the standard during xraying pregnant women according to the website:

For the health of the applicant and her unborn child, CDC instructs panel physicians and laboratories to provide abdominal and pelvic protection with double layer, wrap-around lead shields when they receive the chest radiographs.

Ask the physician if he will be providing lead to shield the abdominal and pelvic area while doing chest x ray.

Not true. Many pregnant women have had them on visa journey. The risk is minimal outside of the first trimester. There was a technician who posted the risks on here before.

I work with xray and fluoro everyday. Even an author on a paper assessing risk of xray on pregnant women.

We do not do it unless there is a pressing or urgent medical need.

Even in this case they are doing chest xray, and shielding the abdominal and pelvic region with lead. so its fine.

Edited April 13, 2016 by verneforchat

[Transborderwife 4,666]

X-ray of chest I am assuming?

This is the standard during xraying pregnant women according to the website:

For the health of the applicant and her unborn child, CDC instructs panel physicians and laboratories to provide abdominal and pelvic protection with double layer, wrap-around lead shields when they receive the chest radiographs.

Ask the physician if he will be providing lead to shield the abdominal and pelvic area while doing chest x ray.

I work with xray and fluoro everyday. Even an author on a paper assessing risk of xray on pregnant women.

We do not do it unless there is a pressing or urgent medical need.

So I suppose the Mayo clinic is wrong then: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/x-ray-during-pregnancy/faq-20058264

This is a great thread on the subject

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/559672-lung-x-rays-during-pregnancy/

Edited April 13, 2016 by Transborderwife

[verneforchat 139]

So I suppose the Mayo clinic is wrong then: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/x-ray-during-pregnancy/faq-20058264

When you do post an article here, please do attempt to read the article.

It clearly says "The exception is abdominal X-rays, which expose your abdomen — and your baby — to radiation."

"High doses of radiation can cause changes in a baby's rapidly growing cells. In turn, it's possible that these changes could slightly increase a baby's risk of birth defects or certain cancers, such as leukemia, later in life. "

Yes — having an X-ray during pregnancy is generally considered safe. It's highly unlikely that a diagnostic X-ray during pregnancy will harm a developing baby.

Most X-ray exams — including those of the arms, legs, head, teeth or chest — won't expose your reproductive organs to radiation, and a leaded apron and collar can be worn to block any scattered radiation.

So the take home points are:

Xray exposure is based on amount, time and body parts.

Pregnant women cannot be xray-ed completely, only certain body parts, WHILE the others are being shield with lead. As long as the radiologist covers her abdomen with lead, it should be fine.

Also another important point. Mayo clinic has researchers, just like the rest of the higher academic institutions in the US and other countries, like Mount Sinai, Weill Cornell, Columbia etc. They are not always 100% accurate. And Mayo clinic is very rigid and set in their ways when it comes to research. They were slightly unlikely to believe or refer to newer more accurate evidence until other medical centers have adopted those guidelines or papers. This is the reason why most physicians do not rely on Mayo clinic only, but a variety of peer reviewed publications in high impact journals to build their evidence based medicine.

Lastly the thread you quoted has the EXACT same answer that I said before, ABDOMEN will be shielded with a lead jacket. Lead jacket blocks radiation. So the point made is radiation is not good, but the lead jacket will block it and help reduce exposure.

For the visa, Xray of chest is required to clear for TB. In this case they just want to see any presence of nodules in the lungs. So they will shield the abdomen and pelvic area.

Since OP's issue has be resolved, if anyone has more discussion to assert on this topic, they are free to pm me.

Edited April 13, 2016 by verneforchat

[Transborderwife 4,666]

When you do post an article here, please do attempt to read the article.

It clearly says "The exception is abdominal X-rays, which expose your abdomen and your baby to radiation."

"High doses of radiation can cause changes in a baby's rapidly growing cells. In turn, it's possible that these changes could slightly increase a baby's risk of birth defects or certain cancers, such as leukemia, later in life. "

Yes having an X-ray during pregnancy is generally considered safe. It's highly unlikely that a diagnostic X-ray during pregnancy will harm a developing baby.

Most X-ray exams including those of the arms, legs, head, teeth or chest won't expose your reproductive organs to radiation, and a leaded apron and collar can be worn to block any scattered radiation.

So the take home points are:

Xray exposure is based on amount, time and body parts.

Pregnant women cannot be xray-ed completely, only certain body parts, WHILE the others are being shield with lead. As long as the radiologist covers her abdomen with lead, it should be fine.

Also another important point. Mayo clinic has researchers, just like the rest of the higher academic institutions in the US and other countries, like Mount Sinai, Weill Cornell, Columbia etc. They are not always 100% accurate. And Mayo clinic is very rigid and set in their ways when it comes to research. They were slightly unlikely to believe or refer to newer more accurate evidence until other medical centers have adopted those guidelines or papers. This is the reason why most physicians do not rely on Mayo clinic only, but a variety of peer reviewed publications in high impact journals to build their evidence based medicine.

Since OP's issue has be resolved, if anyone has more discussion to assert on this topic, they are free to pm me.

I did read it...immigration X-rays are of the chest. That is deemed safe in the article.

[verneforchat 139]

I did read it...immigration X-rays are of the chest. That is deemed safe in the article.

Yes i agree with you.

However, when the OP posted this, it lead me to believe entire chest xray including abdominal area.

As long as the radiologist in hyderabad shields her abdomen, she is fine.I am sure he will. Lead jacket is not expensive and I am sure he or she follows radiological guidelines to code.

Women get xrays during pregnancy all the time. But the need has to be justified by a medical indication and we take all precautions to reduce exposure to fetus.